White House's rule for watchdogs alarms critics

Watchdog rule alarms critics

AMIT R. PALEY, WASHINGTON POST

Published
6:30 am CST, Sunday, March 1, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration pushed through a provision in the $787 billion stimulus package that gives an oversight panel headed by a White House nominee powers to ask that independent watchdogs call off their investigations.

While the law still allows these inspectors general to refuse such requests, some lawmakers and the investigators have warned the arrangement could hamper the probes.

The written explanations that the watchdogs must file if they insist on proceeding could divert valuable resources needed for investigation and be so time-consuming that they might decide to acquiesce, critics said. They added that a requirement to provide this explanation could compromise criminal investigations by publicizing confidential information.

The legislation said the board could request “that an inspector general conduct or refrain from conducting an audit or investigation.” The provision alarmed some inspectors general, who often investigate alleged wrongdoing by political appointees in their agencies.

“We want to ensure that the independence of IGs is not encroached upon in any way, and that’s why concerns have been raised about this legislation,” said J. Russell George, Treasury inspector general for tax administration. “It’s still very early in the process, but we are going to look very closely to see how the legislation is going to be interpreted.”

Administration officials said the provision would not harm the independence of the inspectors general.

“There is nothing in this legislation meant to limit any inspector general,” White House spokesman Thomas Gavin said. He added that the law provides more funding for the watchdog agencies, and by coordinating and getting White House backing for the investigations it “strengthens their hands significantly.”

Lawmakers have revised the original bill, which was drafted by the Obama transition team and congressional aides, to address concerns of the inspectors general. The revised measure allows the watchdog agencies to reject the panel’s decisions.